Celebrate National Good Neighbor Day with Summit

Date Published:09/27/2016

“Say, who are the people in your neighborhood? The people that you meet each day”
– Sesame Street

September 28 is National Good Neighbor Day, a day created to acknowledge and celebrate the importance of being a good neighbor. Good neighbors often become good friends. They watch out for each other, have similar investments in the community, and lend a helping hand.

National Good Neighbor Day was created in the early 1970s by Becky Mattson of Lakeside, Montana. In 1978, United States President Jimmy Carter issued Proclamation 4601:

“As our Nation struggles to build friendship among the peoples of this world, we are mindful that the noblest human concern is concern for others. Understanding, love and respect build cohesive families and communities. The same bonds cement our Nation and the nations of the world. For most of us, this sense of community is nurtured and expressed in our neighborhoods where we give each other an opportunity to share and feel part of a larger family…I call upon the people of the United States and interested groups and organizations to observe such day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.”

Simply put, being a good neighbor makes good neighbors and develops lifelong friendships. So this September 28, Summit asks you to go out in your neighborhood and make friends. We would love to hear your stories. Share your Good Neighbor Day activities on our Facebook page with the hashtag #GoodNeighborDay. We may share your story in a future newsletter!

7 Ways to Celebrate National Good Neighbor Day

A large feat isn’t required to show your neighbors they’re appreciated. In fact, a simple gesture will brighten their day. We offer seven ways to be a good neighbor on Good Neighbor Day.

– If you don’t know your neighbors well, use this as your chance to meet and strike up a conversation. A simple hello and a smile can go a long way.

– Spend an afternoonbaking goodies and deliver door-to-door throughout the neighborhood.

– Invite your neighbors to your home for a meal or host a picnic in your backyard. Bonus: Make it potluck to cut on food costs and to allow everyone to share a favorite dish with the community.

– Host a semi-regular game night for neighbors to get together for an evening of fun and friendship. Coordinate so that each night is hosted at a different neighbor’s house.

– Plan a neighborhood yard sale as a means for everyone to not just make a little extra money, but to get a sense of working together as a team.

– Create a neighborhood “phone book” including numbers for households in the area, emergency services, and favorite local restaurants and businesses.

– Coordinate a neighborhood beautification initiative such as routine morning litter walks, building a community garden, or fall landscaping projects.

Did You Know: The term neighbor derives from the Old English nēahgebūr, which means ‘near inhabitant.’